New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-06
a. VIRTUAL CLEAN SWEEP"

4
II has clearly been the anticipation OF Prcsi-
dent Clevclands supporters that his record
upon the reform Of the Civil Service would
be one of his chief claims to reelection
This makes the recent course OF the Reform
Leagues a heavy blow. The Newly ork
Times" in an effort TO break the force OF it,
has only succeeded in showing still
another field in which the profess
sions Of the Administration are be-
lied by its practices. Mr. Curtis 4
figures in the New port address, related TO the
sweeping changes made by the Administration
in the heads of Offices, very many OF them
not under the control OF the Civil Service
law, and so open to direct political manipua-
ton. "1hc Times" has taken the pains to
collect information regarding the changes
made in the Government offices in some thirty
five cities. The returns could hardly have
gratifcd the hopes with which they were
sought, for they show that, both in Offices
where the clerical force is too small to bring
it under the Civil Service law, and in that
part Of the force in offices under the law for
which competitive examinations are not re-
quired. the invariablc rolc has been to appoint
Democrats TO all vacancies. and vacancies
seem to have been made as fast as the trans
action Of public business would allow. There
are perhaps some exceptions. The New
York post Office is one, and for reasons with
which this Administration has nothing to do
except in so far as it deserves some credit
for Welding TO the overwhelming sentiment
Of this community and reappointing Mr.. Pear
son. The Boston post office under General
Corse appears 10 be another. But these and
two or three other small exceptions do not
disprovc the rule. And when we add to these
facts the recent revelations Of the manner in
which even the classified service is being
made almost solidly Democratic in some OF
the large oilices,-and some interesting facts
are given under that head in "Thc Times"
there is enough cause for wonder that any
spokesman should quarrel with this Admins
tration.
"The Timess" showing may be summed
up as follows:
Albany, ~ Y. Total number OF employees undei
Post Office Internal Revenue Office and Surveyor OF
Customs A. Number Of Democrats appointed to sue
coed Republicans "a. Utica, n. Y. Total numbe-
80 Democrats and Cleveland Republicans" appointed.
10 Newark. n J. Seven Democrats and personal
niends OF tho Postmaster appointed TO places In his
"persona STAR" out OF a. Republican lettcrcarricrs
only 10 remain. Wilmington Del Employees In tho
Post Office. 20: Democrats appointed, "a In the
NIarshals Office, three employees, two Democrats ap.
pointed Baltimore. Unciassihcd places In CoIlec.
tors Office, 81; Democrats appointed 40 scale-hands
"a; now thrce-fOurhs Democrats. Two Naval Sur
vcyors, MashaIs and Disuict-Attorney's offices, n
clean sweep. In the Post onlce 249 employees
moved out OF 2Go internal Revenue two or thico
Republicans remaining In force Of 100 employees.
fpn- RAa La.
with Democrats New-IIaven, Conn I'ost Office
places, 10; Democrats appointed 8. Custom House.
IA; Democrats appointed, IL. Springfield, Mass.
Post once clerks. II: Democrats or from Democratic
families, IL Hartford, Conn out OF 81 Republicans
In the Post Ofcc Is have retired. Worcoster Mass.
Post Oico places. AZ Democrats appointed, o. Prov.
denco. r. l. Custom House places, %; Democrats, z.
Unclassifed places In the Post ofico, no changes.
Newport, II. l. Post Office places, 10; l change
Ms. Post oiice places, AZ; Democrats ap-